The clean-girl era is dead and maximalism is taking over in 2026, according to Pinterest
More is more in 2026.
Image: magapls / Pexels
If you have been living in slick buns, barely-there makeup and neutral everything, consider this your official heads-up.
According to Pinterest Predicts, 2026 is shaping up to be the year we finally move on from the clean-girl aesthetic that has ruled our feeds for what feels like forever.
In its place comes drama, excess and a very loud return to self-expression.
Pinterest Predicts is not about wild guesses. It is built on billions of searches and years of data, and over the past six years, 88 per cent of its predictions have come true.
That makes it one of the most reliable crystal balls in fashion and beauty.
So if you love knowing what is coming next, this is your sneak peek into a far more expressive 2026.
Fashion is going full maximalist
Minimalism is officially taking a back seat. Pinterest predicts a strong swing towards maximalism, with a look they have dubbed Glamoratti.
Think bold colour, heavy layering and accessories that do not whisper but shout.
This trend is a clear reaction to the perfectly polished clean-girl look. Instead of quiet luxury, 2026 is about personality and indulgence.
Expect funnel necklines, sharp tailoring, chunky belts and a heavy dose of 80s-inspired opulence.
Jewellery gets bigger and bolder, shoulders are sculpted, and outfits are designed to be noticed. There is also a growing fascination with vampiric glamour.
Glossy, romantic palettes and femme fatale silhouettes are set to dominate, proving that more really is more.
Accessories are playful and tactile. Gummy bear charms, 3D jewellery and even rubberised nail art are part of the fun.
Beauty turns up the volume
If fashion is getting louder, beauty is doing the same. Subtle makeup is not on the agenda for 2026.
Pinterest calls the new beauty wave Glitchy Glam, and it is all about breaking the rules on purpose.
Perfect wings and symmetrical looks are being replaced by smudged eyeliner, mismatched manicures and bold eyeshadow in clashing or two-toned colours.
Even lipstick is getting experimental, with dual shades replacing clean lines.
Searches back this up, with interest in eccentric makeup, weird makeup looks and avant-garde editorial styles climbing fast.
The message is clear. Beauty in 2026 is expressive, imperfect and intentionally offbeat. It is less about looking polished and more about making a statement.
Beauty in 2026 is expressive, imperfect and intentionally offbeat.
Image: Freepik
Fragrance goes personal
Even scent is getting a dramatic makeover. Scent stacking is set to become a major trend, with people layering perfumes and oils to create their own signature blends.
Instead of a single go-to fragrance, Gen Z and Millennials are mixing notes to build something personal and memorable. Luxury in 2026 lingers, and it comes in layers.
The clean-girl era is over
What ties all these predictions together is contrast. Where the clean-girl aesthetic was controlled and minimal, 2026 is shaping up to be bold, playful and unapologetically expressive.
Pinterest’s data suggests that people are ready to have fun again, whether through fashion, beauty or even the way they smell.
For fashion lovers who like to stay one step ahead, the message is simple.
Pack away the neutrals, loosen the rules and get ready for a year that celebrates drama in all its forms.